Project 543 tells the story of unique spots across North Carolina we hope will become some of your favorite places. Why 543? Because that’s the number of miles from Manteo, on the coast, to Murphy, in the mountains, and is traditionally considered to be the width of our state. The entries in this project are in no particular order, and we’ll add to them each week. Check in often to find inspiration for your next trip, or start planning today at VisitNC.com.

What is Project 543?

Project 543 tells the story of unique spots across North Carolina we hope will become some of your favorite places. Why 543? Because that’s the number of miles from Manteo, on the coast, to Murphy, in the mountains, and is traditionally considered to be the width of our state. The entries in this project are in no particular order, and we’ll add to them each week. Check in often to find inspiration for your next trip, or start planning today at VisitNC.com.

Search 543

Visit America’s only complete registry of Scottish tartans

Take a stroll through the history and culture of the Highland Scots who immigrated to the mountains of North Carolina in the 17th and 18th centuries. The Scottish Tartans Museum in the Great Smoky Mountains showcases a large gallery of clothing and information on the Scottish immigrant experience and nearly 3,000 tartan designs from around the world listed in the Register of All Publicly Known Tartans. Originally established in Highlands in 1988, the nonprofit museum has been in downtown Franklin since 1994. The museum’s staff also travels to Scottish festivals and Highland Games — where Outlander fans abound — throughout the year to educate visitors in the history and culture of the tartan.